Many workers received an email overnight instructing them to report for duty long enough to secure their desks and arrange for automatic email replies and voice messages indicating they would be out of the office until further notice.

The furlough took effect one minute past midnight Tuesday.

The document stated: “This furlough notice, e.g., nonpay, nonworking status, is not expected to exceed 30 days. Therefore this furlough notice expires no later than October 30, 2013.”

Workers were instructed to update contact information with their supervisors and be ready to return to work if a budget is passed.

Offices within the complex handle a variety of tasks including issuance of permits and administering millions of dollars for federally funded projects.

Furloughed workers told KCRA many projects consisting of both public and private contracts would be delayed until employees returned to the office.